CVE-2026-17402 in API Connect
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2026
IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands due to OS command injection. User-supplied input is not properly neutralized before it is passed to the operating system, which could allow commands to run on the underlying host.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2026
The vulnerability identified in IBM API Connect versions 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.12 and 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.1.2 represents a critical security flaw classified as an operating system command injection. This type of vulnerability arises when software constructs OS commands using input that has not been adequately sanitized or validated by the developer. In this specific instance, user-supplied data is passed directly to the underlying operating system without proper neutralization of special characters or metacharacters that hold significance for shell interpretation. The flaw allows a remote authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary commands into these OS-level operations, effectively bypassing application-level security controls and gaining direct execution capabilities on the host infrastructure where the API Connect service is deployed.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) ID 78, which defines Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command. The root cause lies in the application's failure to implement robust input validation or safe command construction practices such as using parameterized APIs instead of string concatenation for shell execution. When a user provides maliciously crafted input containing commands like semicolons, pipes, or backticks, the operating system interprets these elements not as literal data but as instructions to execute additional processes. This breaks the intended isolation between the application layer and the host environment, allowing the attacker to leverage the privileges of the service account running IBM API Connect to perform actions beyond their authorized scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for full system compromise. Since an authenticated attacker can execute arbitrary commands, they may escalate privileges if the service runs with elevated permissions, install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data stored on the host, or use the compromised node as a pivot point for further attacks within the internal network. This directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the organization's API management infrastructure. The ability to run commands remotely means that once authentication is obtained through stolen credentials or other means, the attacker has immediate access to the underlying operating system without needing additional exploitation steps related to privilege escalation from a lower-level foothold.
In terms of threat modeling, this vulnerability maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically under sub-techniques involving shell commands such as sh or bash. Attackers can utilize standard command-line tools available on the host to achieve their objectives, making detection potentially difficult if the injected commands mimic legitimate administrative activities. The presence of this flaw in API Connect is particularly concerning because API gateways often serve as critical entry points for enterprise traffic and may have access to backend systems that handle sensitive business logic or data processing.
To mitigate this risk, organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patches available for IBM API Connect versions 10.0.8.x and 12.1.x. Until patching is complete, administrators can implement compensating controls such as restricting network access to the management interface of API Connect using firewalls or virtual private networks (VPNs) to limit exposure only to trusted IP addresses. Additionally, enforcing strict multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts reduces the likelihood of an attacker obtaining valid credentials required to trigger this vulnerability. Input validation should also be reviewed in any custom integrations or extensions associated with the platform to ensure that no other components are susceptible to similar injection flaws. Regular security audits and static code analysis can help identify future instances where user input is improperly handled before it reaches system-level commands.